Dad was killed by a huge swarm of bees when he was hung from a tree at work

Franco Galvan Martinez’s staff could only hear his cries of pain as he was attacked by a swarm of bees and tragically killed while hanging from a tree in Texas, USA

A man has been killed after being attacked by a huge swarm of bees while suspended from a tree at work.

Franco Galvan Martinez accidentally disrupted the hive while working at a home in Austin, Texas.

The 53-year-old, who worked for a landscaping and lighting company, was hung from a harness when he accidentally tipped over the hive and kicked the ladder out from under him while he was working.

He was in excruciating agony for over ten minutes as the bees kept stinging him and his staff couldn’t help as the bees attacked them too.

Joe Maldonado, a family friend, told the local outlet KXAN : “I guess in a panic as he tried to knock the bees away from him, he kicked the ladder away.

“The hive was so gigantic that it literally covered Franco right away.”

Emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday and two firefighters used their hoses to blow the bees away so they could get to the father of two.

Maldonado described Franco as a “very cheerful man”. He leaves behind his wife, two children and grandchildren.

In a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, his wife wrote: “I miss you so much already my beloved husband Franco Galvan Martinez you will always be in my heart. I know you’re in a better place in heaven.”

Franco’s company confirmed that one of their workers had died.

City officials said the incident was assigned to the Austin Code Department, which dispatched an inspector to the home.

Local media reported that neighbors knew about the hive but nothing was done about it.

Professional hive remover Mike Lopez told KXAN that in the event of a bee attack, you have to keep moving and try to get inside your home or vehicle.

He said “under no circumstances” to stop moving, adding that after a sting, bees release alarm pheromones that signal other bees to attack as well.

He said, “Once you have one, then you have two, then you have 16. And it will go on like this until you have thousands with you”.